On the sudden demise of the doyen of Indian cinema, K. Balachander, who expired due prolonged illness and age-related ailments in Chennai, Raaga.Com pays its humble homage to the great filmmaker and prays his soul rest in peace in heaven.

Winner of Dadasaheb Phalke Award and renowned as Iyakunar Sigaram" (Peak among directors) in Tamil film industry, K Balachander, shall always be remembered not just for his superlative movies but for his immense contribution for introducing multiple talents that have went on to become legends in Indian cinema. Great talents like Rajinikanth ('Aboorva Ragangal'), Kamal Haasan ('Arangetram'), Sridevi (Moondru Mudichi), ace villain actor Prakash Raj ('Duet'), comedian Vivek ('Manadhil Urudhi Vendum') and character artist Nazar ('Kalyana Agathigal').

Popularly addressed as KB sir, what is interesting is that the man who discovered so many great talents himself was discovered by the legendary actor and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late M G Ramachandran. In an interview K.B. had revealed that M.G.R. was a great fan of his plays and impressed by one of his plays he gave KB an opportunity as a scriptwriter in his film DEIVATH THAI.

What makes K.B. a genius is that he was one of the few film directors, who achieved such stardom that film posters boosted - A film by ‘K. Balachander film’- a rare feat indeed!

Further what is most astonishing is that when Tamil cinema was dominated by two patriarchs - MGR and Shivaji Ganesan, K.B. revolted against the male dominated movies and daringly made women centric films!

Paying his condolence to legendary filmmaker, superstar Rajinikanth, who held KB sir in high esteem, broke down on hearing the tragic news. Mourning his mentor’s demise he lamented, “KB sir was like a God in guise of human being. He was not just my guru. He was my father as well. He too shared the same affection. He never regarded me an actor but treated me like his own son.”

Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan who was launched by KB in the Tamil film ARANGETRAM and later went on to work with the director in over 40 films, including hit Hindi romantic-drama EK DUUJE KE LIYE, could not bid farewell to his mentor. He was stuck up in the post-production work of his Tamil film UTTAMA VILLAIN in Los Angeles. However the movement he received the tragic news, he cancelled all his assignment and has rushed to India.

This Mohd Rafi remember suit to a perfect ‘T’ to pay homage to the legendary singer on his 90th birth anniversary that falls today. Raaga.Com remembers the maestro and explores why Mohd Rafi is regarded as the greatest singer.

A student of musical stalwarts like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pt Jiwan Lal Mattoo and Firoze Nizami at the tender age of 13 young Md Rafi proved his potential as a singer par excellence.

Thus at an early age Rafi became a name to reckon. In Bollywood he ruled for three decades from 50’s to the 70’s .He sung for all top stars. In the 50’s he sung for Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, despite Mukesh was his favorite singer!

The 70 was his testing time and it was during this phase Rafi sahab witnessed a threat from his rival singer Kishore Kumar, who became a star singer thanks to his association with the superstar of that era Rajesh Khanna. As a result this was a lean phase of Rafi’s career while Kishore Kumar ruled.

According to Laxmikant (of music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, who composed music for the film) initially the song was to be recorded in Kishore Kumar’s voice but despite several takes Kishore Kumar was not able to express the desired pathos and anguish required for song. Laxmikant suggested Rafi to sing the song but the producer insisted on Kishore Kumar, as he was the star singer.

After a tussle between producers and music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal the song was decided to be deleted from the film. But Laxmikantji, director M.A. Thirumugam and Rajesh Khanna were against deleting the song. Finally Rafi sahab was called to sing the song.

He sang the song with such emotions that the audiences could not control their tears in cinema halls! Even today when you hear the song, eyes are filled with tears due to Rafi Sahab’s soul string and grief ridden voice!!!

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